The ongoing monsoon season has turned deadly in Pakistan, with at least 111 people confirmed dead between June 26 and July 14, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Over half of the fatalities were children.
Government data revealed that most deaths were caused by electrocution and flash floods. In a tragic incident in late June, 13 tourists were swept away while seeking refuge along a riverbank during sudden flash flooding.
Punjab, the country’s most populous province, recorded the highest number of casualties. Fatalities have also been reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has warned of additional heavy rains from July 15 to 17. A low-pressure system from Madhya Pradesh, India, is expected to push strong monsoon currents into central and northern Pakistan over the next 72 hours. A westerly wave is also influencing weather patterns in the upper regions.
Very heavy rainfall is forecast across parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Balochistan, and Sindh during this period.
Authorities have warned of potential flash floods in hilly streams and urban flooding in low-lying areas, especially in major cities like Lahore, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, and Faisalabad. Landslides and mudslides may block roads in regions such as Murree, Galiyat, and northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The public has been advised to avoid unnecessary travel, stay updated on weather alerts, and exercise caution in vulnerable zones.
The monsoon, which typically brings 70 to 80% of South Asia’s annual rainfall, is critical for agriculture but also poses recurring dangers. Pakistan, home to over 240 million people, remains one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world.
In 2022, unprecedented monsoon flooding submerged one-third of the country and claimed more than 1,700 lives. Many of those affected have yet to fully recover.